Stray incidents of arson during blockade

The gate of the Sericulture and Weaving Office at Lawsohtun remained closed on Monday night following throwing of kerosene bomb on the office premises. (ST)

SHILLONG/JOWAI: Reports of violent incidents started pouring in as soon the fresh round of night road blockade called jointly by four NGOs (KSU, FKJGP, SSSS and HNYF) came into effect at 7pm on Monday.

Roads wore a deserted look shortly soon after the road blockade came into force.

The four NGOs have called the three-night road blockade in protest against the alleged inclusion of voters with “dubious” origin in the State’s electoral rolls.

Unidentified miscreants tried to torch the Sericulture and Weaving Office at Lawsohtun on Monday lobbying a kerosene bomb at the office.

East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police AR Mawthoh said there was no damage since they were able to control the fire before it could spread.

He also informed some miscreants burnt tyres in Mawlai area.

Police arrested Lit Swer (28) and Lamphrang Kharbuki (36), president and organising secretary of Seng Samla respectively for their alleged involvement in torching of a tyre godown at Mawlai.

Meanwhile, a truck driver was reportedly injured when some youth pelted stones at his vehicle in Tyrsad, East Khasi Hills hours before the night road blockade came into effect.

There were also reports of stone pelting from Mawlai area.

In another incident, miscreants threw a petrol bomb at MECOFED godown in Mawiong resulting in damage to items like broomsticks, bayleaf and besides other items.

At Nongpoh, miscreants burnt tyres at around 8.30 pm.

There were also cases of hurling of petrol bomb at Pahamriniai, around 4 kilometers from Nongpoh. Miscreants pelted stones on vehicles at Umling, 20 Mile, Umsning, Umtrew, Sumer and Umiam.

In Jaintia Hills, miscreants tried to set on fire a government vehicle (Bolero ML01-6012) allotted to the Superintendent of Taxes at Khliehriat.

The vehicle was parked near the Sale Tax office at Khliehriat and at around 4:30 pm, some unknown miscreants hurled a petrol bomb to torch the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the State DGP N Ramachandran has asserted that the state police have registered a case against the agitating NGOs under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act.

Last year, the MMPO Bill banning bandhs, strikes and abstinence from normal duties by public employees was passed in the Assembly despite opposition from several organisations.

Reacting to a query on the actions taken against the NGOs under the Act, he said the police were still investigating the matter, “but action will be taken as per the law.”

He also informed that police will provide security to all vehicles who want to travel during the night road blockade while adding that police patrolling has been intensified in vulnerable areas besides police in plains clothes have also been pressed into action.

NCP’s plea: After United Democratic Party (UDP), ) Opposition NCP in on Monday urged the State government to convene an all-party meet along with the agitating NGOs to end the deadlock on the issue of enrollment of “dubious” voters

Talking to media persons here on Monday, Leader of Opposition Conrad Sangma said, “The issue is real and needs to be addressed since it also affects the genuine non-tribals.”

It may be mentioned that the UDP has urged the State Government to immediately call for an all-party meet to break the current deadlock over voters’ enrollment issue.